Automatically opening and closing dies.



F. A. BRRINGTON. AUTOMATIGALLY OPENING AND CLOSING DIES. APPLICATIONTILED JUNE 14, 1905.

927,029. Patented July 6, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PAEENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN ALFRED ERRINGTON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATICALLY OPENING AND CLOSING DIES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN ALFRED Ean'me'ron, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Stapleton, borough of Richmond, city and. State ofNew York, have invented new and useful Improvements in AutomaticallyOpening and Closing Dies, of-which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate broadly to automatically opening and closing diesin which the screw cutting dies are adapted to have sufficient axial andlateral movement independently of the supporting body to open the diesby coaction between the dies and the threadsthey out upon the work; andthe objects of my improvements are :-iirst, means to open said screwcutting dies abruptly (preferably at right angles to their axialmovement) to enable the dies to cut a screw thread. close up to ashoulder on a piece of work provided. with a large flange; second, meansfor closing the dies again to the operative position, either by hand, orautomatically by the movement of the turret or other portion of asuitable machine to which my device may be attached; third, means forquickly and accurately regulating the cutting diameter of the dies forfirst or roughing and then a finishing out.

In previous devices operated upon this princi le it has been considerednecessary to provire a sloping step upon the opposing surface of eitherthe die or upon the supporting part against which the die bears duringoperation, the sloping portion of said step acting as an axial-cam toenable the die to be pushed. back from the open. or releasing positionto the closed or operative position; but the sloping surface of thisaxialcam operated to move the die outwardly axially While the die wasopening laterally, and thereby made it impossible to cut a thread closeup to a shoulder with a device so constructed. The novel construction ofthe device illustrated in the accompanying drawings eliminates thisobjectionableforward movement of the dies while opening laterally, byemploying an abrupt step (preferably extending at right angles to theaxis of the device), leading from the operative to the open position,and by placing the closing-cam upon a separate laterally movable piecethat can readily be arranged to coop- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 14, 1905.

Patented July 6, 1909.

Serial No. 265,233.

crate with the movable parts of a suitable machine to close the diesautomatically to the operative position.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrmvings, in which I Figure 1 is a view of the under side of a deviceembodying my invention, partly in section, showing the parts in theclosed or operative position; Fig. 2, a similar view illustrating theparts in the open or releasing position; Fig. 3, a view of the undersideof the device in full lines, the. parts being in the operative positionillustrated in Fig. 1, and illustrates more particularly the coaction ofa hinge or closing-lever upon my device with a pin or abutment suitablycarried by a machine to which my device may be attached; Fig. 4 is aside elevation of Fig. 3, except that the cam-cranks 28 are shown turnedat right angles to the axis of body 1; Fig. 5, a cross-section on thelines A a of Figs. 1, 3 and l, giving a rear view of the parts whencontracted to the maximum degree at the completion of the functionaccomplished automatically by the joint action of the closing-cams of mydevice and the aforesaid closing abutment (see Fig. 3) Fig. 6 a crosssection on the line B-B of Fig. 2, affording a rear view of the partswhen in the open or releasing position.

Similar numerals and letters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views.

A supporting-body l. is shown provided with a shank 3 for connectionwith the turret of a turret lathe or other suitable machine to which mydevice may be attached. Abutments 2 project from body 1 with adiechamber (1 between. them, wherein are located the cutting andadjusting members of the device. T he body 1 is preferably internallytapered on the inner surfaces D of its abutments 2, and I havepreferably shown these internally tapered surfaces indented. bylongitudinal grooves E, placed diametrically opposite each other andextending along and subdividing the internally tapered faces D. 1preferably provide the body 1 with laterally adjustable internalthrust-faces by placing them on adjusting-blocks l, whose externallytapered surfaces abut against the internally-tapered surface D ofabutments 2. For the purpose of adjusting the blocks 4 axially andlaterally of body 1 and for holding them axially immovable in theposition adj usted, l have shown the lower portion of each of the blocks4 pierced by aT slot F extending laterally of body 1. From each of theblocks 4 extends in a direction parallel with the axis of body 1 anadjusting and holding member shown in the form of a flanged,screw-threaded rod 5 whose flange and shank correspond in section with Tslot F of blocks 4. This slip-joint connection permits the adjustingscrew 5 to rotate in slot F independently of block l, to adjust theblock 4 axially of body 1 in unison with adjusting-screw 5, the fit ofthe flange of said adj Listing-screw being such as to hold said block 4rigidly in position, axially of body 1, when adjusted, and yet permitblock 4 to slide along said flange laterally of body 1, independently ofadjusting-screw 5. The screws 5 are shown tapped into body 1 and securedfrom independent movement by jam-screws G. The externally projectingends 1 of screws 5 are preferably flattened to mesh with a suitablewrench adapted to oper ate the screws 5. The shank 3 is preferablypierced by an axial bore in which a sto a is adjustable axially of body1 and held rigidly in position relatively to body 1 by a setscrew 6. Alongitudinal slideway is provided along abutments 2 by parallelprojections H, serving to aline a die-holder 7 with the axis of body 1.

The dieholder 7 is preferably constructed with a plurality of frames 8,connected together by slides 9, 10 and screws 11 to form radialslideways for a plurality of screw-cuttin dies or cutters 12, which arereferably inserted at opposite ends of the s ideway of die-holder 7, andare movable therein, radially of body 1, and are retained in their re--spective slideways by their projections J overlapping the edges of theslides 9, 10. I have preferably constructed. the slides of thedie-holder 7 in two layers or slide-members, the outer and mainslide-member 9 being designed to sustain the working strain, and. theinner or adjustable slide-member 10, being a flexible plate and Iprovide an adjustingscrew K (tapped through plate 9) to force theflexible slide-member 1O apart from the rigid slide-member 9, when it isdesired to increase the thickness of the slide 9, 10 to insure a closefit of the slide-members 9, 10 between the overlapping portions J of thedies 12. The functional effect secured by this adjustable slideway-9, 10is that the overlapping portions J of the dies 12 can be made to fitfirmly on the slide-members 9, 10, when the parts are in the operativeposition (see Fig. 1), and thereby insure that the dies will cut aparallel thread upon the work l"? whereas, if there was any slackness inthe fitting of the overlapping portions J on the slide-members 9, 10,the dies 12 would cut a tapering thread upon the work W, the diameter ofthe thread increasing as soon as the dies 12 com- Inenced to open.

The opposing faces of the adjusting-blocks 4 are each preferablysubdivided into inner internal thrust-faces L and outer internalthrust-faces M by an intervening space or recess N extending across eachblock at right angles to the axis of body 1, and the function of thecorres gonding space 0 at the outer end of each block 4 is the same asthat of the recess N. I preferably term the entire space 0 between theopposing faces of the adjusting-blocks 4 a die-chamber, and the sectionsthereof between the opposed internal thrust-faces L, M, the innerdie-chamber; and the sections N, 0 thereof that extend laterally beyondthe planes of the internal thrust-faces L, M, 1 term the outerdiechamber. The inner and outer die-chambers are shown separated fromeach other by abrupt steps P, which I have preferably illustrated asextending at right angles to the axis of body 1.

The inner ends of the dies 1.2 are provided with screw-threaded cuttingfaces, and the outer ends of the dies 12 are provided with innerexternal thrust-faces B, and outer external thrust-faces S, saidexternal. thrustfaces being separated from each other by a recess Textending across the outer end of each die 12 at right angles to theaxis of body 1. The steps Q on the dies 12 have also been left abrupt tocorrespond with the steps P on the blocks 4- to enable the projectionsupon which the thrustfaces are carried to intermesh more suddenly thanif steps P, Q were sloped. The functional effect of abrupt steps P, Q isto enable the dies 12 to cut the screw threads up closer to the flangeor shoulder w than would be possible were the steps P, Q sloped, asheretofore explained. It being necessary, however, to have some means ofreadily lifting the dies 12 past the abrupt steps P from the open to theoperative position, I have provided each die with a rectilineallymovable cam preferably shown in the form of a cam-pin 13, movabletransversely to the line of movement of its respective die 12 to movethe die inwardly radially of the body 1. In the construction shown Ihave pierced one side of each of the frames 8 with bearings 11.,extending laterally of the device from the outer surface of frame 8 intothe die-chamber C, under the slideway 9, 10, and registering with theouter end of the inner projection J of the dies 12. A longitudinal boreV preferably intersects the bearing U at its inner periphery, so thatwhen I place cam-pins 13 in their bearings U I can regulate the movementof the earn-pins 13 by inserting a stop-pin 14 in each of thelongitudinal bores V, to mesh. with an indenture X provided in eachcam-pin 13, said indentures X terminating at each of its ends in isstops that engage the stop-pin 14, to limit the lateral movement of thecam-pins 13 relatively to the axis of the body 1. The cam-pins 13 arepreferably joined together by a slip-joint connection. with aconnectingrod or tube 1.5. For this purpose I have preferably slottedeach end. of the tube 15 on its under side to receive a neck provided under the spherical head of each cam-pin 13. Before inserting the cam-pins13 into their bearings u, I have preferably interposed spiral springs 16around cam-pins 13 and between the connecting-rod 15 and the frames 8. Ihave preferably shown the engaging surfaces of both the cam-pins 13 andthe dies 12 provided with cam-faces Y. Z. respectively, but it isobvious that either one of the eoacting parts could omit the cam-face,and still the cam-face of the other part could operate upon therectangular corner of the part from which the cam was omitted; however,by providing both parts 13 and 12 with cams Y, Z, I secure a wider rangeof adjustment for the blocks 4 without getting the cams Y, Z out of meshwith each other.

It will be seen that the cam-pins 13 can readily be operated by hand toclose the dies 12, by compressing the connecting piece 15 toward theframes 8; but to counteract the shock and side pressure incident tooperating the cam-pins 13 automatically on a revolving turret of a latheor similar machine, I belt a bridle 17 to frame 8 by means of one of thecorner screws 11, the bridle 17 carrying a journal-pin 18, which forms abearing for the other member of a hinge 1.9. The hinge 19 is showncammed at 20 (see Fig. 3) to 006p erate with an abutment 21 projectingup from the turret slide 22 of a suitable machine. It will be seen thatall the views are inverted, and that I have provided. a hinge-stop 23 tolimit the outward movement of hinge 19, to avoid dropping out ofengagement with con necting-piece 15.

Each'frame 8 of the dic-holder 7 is preferably composed of an integralpiece out part way through to provide a bearing 24 for the die-holder 7on abutments 2, and leave clearance for adjusting-blocks 4 and the headsof adjusting-screws 5. The crossbridge 25 that is thus left extendsacross the die-holder 7 under the dies 12, between the abutments 2, andjoins the two ends of each frame rigidly together (.lirectly in linewith the lateral strain exerted by the dies when cutting, theprojections 26 of the frame 8 overlapping the sides 9, 10 to aid them inwithstanding the lateral strain of the cutting operation.

The adjusting-blocks 4 are provided with means for quickly andaccurately varying the distance between their opposing internalthrust-faces I1, M, without disturbing the axial adjustment eil'ected byadjustingserews 5. I have preferably accomplished.

this function by locating in each of the grooves E a cam-plate 27, and Ihave pierced the abutments 2 with circular bearings for cam-cranks 28,said cam-cranks 28 being preferably rectangular in section and fittinginto a corresponding hole in the center of cam-plate 27 by which means Ican turn the cam-plates 27 out of the grooves E an d interpose thecam-plates 27 between the internally tapered surfaces I) of theabutments 2 and the backs of the adjusting-bloc (s 4, thereby reducingthe distance between the cutting faces of the dies 1.2, whenever it isdesired to take a finishing out, after roughcutting the Work with thecam-plates 27 collapsed within the grooves E.

To prevent the dies 12 dropping to the open. position when the device isused in a vertical position, I have shown the dieholder 7 supported inthe cutting position of the dies 12 by a yielding catch 29, preferablyad justably attached to frame 3 by a set-screw 30, the end of the springor catch 29 being suitably rounded or beveled at its point of contactwith the inner edge of body 1, to permit the dies to automaticallyunclasp the catch 29 from its hold on the body 1 when the dies 12 moveaxially of body 1 to the open position.

The operation of the device may be described as followsz-The die-holdersection. 7 being detached from body section 1 and the closing-cams 13being pulled out until the cam-stops 14 and X limit the withdrawal ofthe cam-pins 13, the cutters or dies 12 can be inserted in theirrespective slideways 9, 10. Between the dies I interpose a triangularclearance spring 31, the spring lying under the dies above thecross-bridges 25 of the frames 8, the apex of the spring 25 extendingunder one slide 9, 10, and the tur11ed-up ends of the spring bearingagainst the beveled surfaces of the dies 12 on their opposite sides. Theadjusting-blocks 4 having been suitably adjusted, by means of screws 5,for the backs of the adjusting-blocks 4 to bear directly upon theinternally tapered surfaces D of body 1, for the roughing-cut ol' thedies upon the work, the cam-cranks 28 are thrown back to collapse thecam-plates 27 within their grooves E. The two sections of the device(thc die-holder 7 and the body 1, with the respective parts carried byeach) are now intermeshed by compressing the connectingqiiece 15 (orhinge 19, when used) and thereby causing the rectilineally movable camsY to move inwardly transversely to the line of movement of the dies 12to coact with the cams Z to move the dies 12 simultaneously inward alongtheir respective slideways 9, 10, compressing the clearance spring 31.until the external thrust-faces R, S of the dies 12 pass over the abruptsteps P of the adjusting-blocks 4 and within the planes of the internalthrust-faces L, M (see Fig. 5), whereupon the dies 12 can be pushed backaxially ol' the body 1 until the backs of the dies 12 engage theprojecting flanges of adjusting screws 5, whereupon the pressure onconnecting piece 15 is relaxed, the springs 18 remove the cam-pins 13from the line of movement of the dies 12, and. the clearance spring 31pushes the dies 1.2 out against the blocks 4, the catch 29 grips overthe edge of body 1 and all the parts assume the operative positionillustrated in Fig. 1. Upon the piece 01' work W being rotated andsuitably presented against the dies 12, the dies will out screw-threadsupon the work correspond ing in pitch to the threads of the dies ontheir cutting laces; and the work W will advance into the die-chamber Cuntil the end of the work VV engages the rigid stop a, whereupon thedies will immediately commence to move outwardly along the end walls ofthe inner die-chamber, axially of the device (under the spiral action ofthe threads of the dies on the threads already cut by the dies on thework), until the external thrustiaces R, S 01' the dies 12 pass out ofline with the internal thrust-laces L, M, and the catch 29 is therebypulled out of engagement with the edge of body 1, whereupon the abruptsteps P, Q slip past each other, and the dies 12 open suddenly from theinner to the outer die-chamber N, O; clearing the threads of the diesfrom the threads of the work W, which can thereupon be withdrawn frombetween the dies 12 without stopping or reversing its rotation.

It being assumed that the work WV requires two euts to finish it to thesize and finish desired, pressure is again brought to bear upon theclosing-cams Y, Z, and the dies thereby closed to the operativeposition, whereupon the camcranks 28 are given a quarter turn, whichbrings the cam-plates 27 out of grooves F1 and interposes the camplates27 between the tapering backs of the adj Listing-blocks 4 and theinternally tapered surfaces D of abutments 2 (see Figs. 2 and 6), whichwill readjust the blocks 4 inwardly laterally of body 1, compressing theclearance spring 31 and contracting the distance between the dies 12 tothe finishing size; whereupon the revolving work 1V is again presentedto the dies 12 and the thread will be cut thereon to the finished size,the dies opening at the same point axially as before.

W'here it is desired to operate the closing cams Y, Z automatically bythe hinge 19. it being assumed that the turret or suitable part of themachine carrying my device revolves at right angles to the axis of mydevice, the hinge 19 will be dragged over the turret slide on support22, which will compress the hinge 19, the connecting-piece 15 andthereby operate the cam-pins Y, Z to close the dies 12, whereupon thecontinued 1 rotation of the said turret will enable a pin or abutment 21(suitably carried upon said machine to coact with the axial-cam 20formed on hinge 19, as shown in F ig. 3) to move the die-holder 7 andall its parts, including the dies 12, inwardly axially of body 1 to theclosed or operative position illustrated in Fig. 1. The continuedrotation of said turret will carry the hinge 19 out of engagement withthe turret slide 22, and the a hinge 19 will drop to the limit allowedby the hinge-stop 23 engaging the bridle 17, thus allowing the springs16 to clear the cams Y, Z from the line of movement of dies 12 so thatthe dies 12 can expand again when desired, without interference by theclosing cams Y, Z.

I claim 1. The combination with a body having inner and outerdie-chambers separated from each other by abrupt steps, the end walls ofthe inner diechamber providing internal thrust-faces to receive aplurality of dies having external thrust-laces and being movableradially of the body, a die-holder therefor provided with radialslideways to mesh with said dies, rectilineally movable cams carried bythe die-holder each in engagement with and movable transversely to theline. of movement 01 its respective die to actuate said dies inwardlyradially oi the body to lift said dies over said abrupt steps from theouter to the inner die-chamber, one of said sets of thrust-faces beingmovable axially independently of the other set thereof during thecutting operation, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a body provided with inner and outerdie-chambers separated from each other by abrupt steps, the end walls ofthe inner die-chamber providing internal thrust-faces to receive aplurality of dies having external thrust faces and being movableradially oi' the body, a die-holder therefor provided with radialslideways to mesh with said dies, cam-pins mm'able transversely of theline of movement of their respective dies, one member of each of saidlast named coacting sets of parts being provided with a sloping cam-faceadapted to coact with the other member of its respective set to movesaid dies inwardly radially of the body, a spring to remove said campinsfrom the line of movement of their re spective dies, a stop to limit theend movement of said cam-pins, one of said sets of thrust-faces beingmovable axially independently of the other set thereof during thecutting operation, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a body having inner and outer die-chambersseparated from each other by abrupt steps, the end walls of the innerdie-chamber providing internal thrust-laces to receive a plurality ofdies having external thrust-faces and being movable radially of thebody, a die-holder therefor provided with radial slideways to mesh withsaid dies, cam-pins movable transversely of the line of movement oftheir respective dies, one member of each of said last named coactingsets of parts being provided with a sloping cam-face, said cam-pinsbeing connected together to move said dies simultaneously inwardlyradially of the re body, one of said sets of thrust-faces being movableaxially independently of the other set thereof during the cuttingoperation, substantially as described.

4;. The combination. of a body having in ner and outer die-chambersseparated from each other by abrupt steps, the end walls of the innerdie-chamber providing internal thrust-faces to receive a plurality ofdies having external thrust-faces and being movable radially of thebody, a die-holder therefor provided with radial slideways to mesh withsaid dies, cam-pins movable transversely of the line of movement oftheir respective dies, one member of each of said last named coactingsets of parts being provided with a sloping cam-face, said cam-pinsbeing flexibly connected together by a conneoting-piece to which eachcam-pin is connected by a slip-joint to permit each campin to moveindependently when said campins are operating simultaneously to movesaid dies inwardly radially of the body, one of said sets ofthrust-faces being movable axially independently of the other setthereof during the cutting operation, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a device constructed in two sections, one ofsaid sections being movable axially of the other thereof during thecutting operation, the body section having inner and outer die-chambersseparated from each other by abrupt steps, the end walls of the innerdie-chamber providing internal thrust-faces, and the dieholder sectionbeing provided with radial slideways, dies provided with externalthrust-faces and movable along said slide Ways, and rectilineallymovable cam-pins carried by the die-holder and movable transversely ofthe line of movement of said dies, of a hinge-piece pivotally carried byone of said sections to actuate said campins, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination with a device con structed in two sections, one ofsaid sections being movable axially of the other thereof during thecutting operation, the body sec tion having inner and outer die-chambersseparated from each other by abrupt steps,

the end walls of the inner die-chamber providing internal thrust-faces,and the dieholder section being provided with radial slideways, diesprovided with external thrust-faces and movable along said slideways,and rectilineally movable cam-pins carried by the die-holder and movabletransversely of the line of movement of said dies, of a hingepieoepivotally carried by one of said sections to actuate said cam-pins, theaxially movable section of said device 7 being provided with an axiallyacting-cam adapted to cooperate with an externally carried stationaryabutment, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a dieholder having radial slideways, one side ofeach slide way being constructed with adjustable slidemembers laid oneupon the other axially of the die-holder, of a plurality of radiallymovable dies meshing with said slideways g0 and overlapping the edges ofsaid adjustable slide-members, and means to expand said slide-membersapart axially of the dieholder, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a body having internally tapered surfacesextending longitudinally of the body, externally taperedadjusting-blocks adapted to bear upon the internally tapered surfaces ofthe body, the inner surfaces of the adjusting-blocks being provided withinternal thrust-faces, and means to adjust the adjusting-blocks axiallyof the body, of means to move the adjustingblocks inwardly radially ofthe body away from the internally tapered surfaces of the 5 bodyindependently of said axially adj ustingmeans, and a plurality of (liesprovided with external thrust-faces adapted to bear upon the internalthrust-faces of the adjustingblocks during the cutting operation, one of0 said sets of thrust-faces being movable axially of the body during thecutting opera tion independently of the other set thereof, substantiallyas described.

9. The combination with a body having 1 5 internally tapered surfacesextending longitudinally of the body, and externally taperedadjusting-blocks adapted to bear upon the internally tapered surfaces ofthe body, one of said opposing tapered surfaces being subdivided.longitudinally by a recess, of a cam-plate located in said recess, meansto turn the cam-plate out of said recess and in between the opposedtapered surfaces of the body and the adjusting-blocks, means to adjustthe adjusting-blocks axially of the body, said adjusting-blocks beingprovided on their inner surfaces with internal thrustfaces, and aplurality of dies provided with external thrust-faces adapted to bearupon the internal thrust-faces of the adjustingblocks during the cuttingoperation, one of said sets of thrust-faces being movable axially of thebody during the cutting operation, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a body provided with internal thrust-faces, anda dieholder, one of said parts being movable axially of the other, of ayielding-catch carried by one of said parts and. adapted to 130 catchhold of the other thereof, and a plurality of screw-cutting dies carriedby said die-holder and movable radially of the body and having externalthrust-faces to bear upon said internal thrust-faces of the body, saiddies being adapted to coact With a piece of Work being operated upon tomove said die-holder and body axially apart to 4 unclasp said catch fromits hold on one of said parts, substantially as described.

New York, May 31st, 1905.

FRANKLIN ALFRED ERRINGTON.

Witnesses D. J. WILSON, F. T. GooDmoK.

